'Bring history to life': Fort Vancouver hosts America 250 celebration
Patriotism was on full display at the Fort Vancouver parade grounds Friday afternoon, as hundreds of visitors decked out in red, white and blue gathered at the national historic site to celebrate the country's 250th birthday.
But, in the end, only one visitor could win the day's "most patriotic" award.
That honor went to Henry, a fluffy, middle-aged Pomeranian pooch who traveled to Fort Vancouver Friday morning with his dog sitter, Vancouver resident Lisa Bayautet, and five small canine friends.
Henry, who sported red sunglasses adorned with long plastic eyelashes, a star-spangled top hat and an oversized, bedazzled bow tie, was one of 10 entrants - including nine dogs and Bao Bao the bunny - that took part in an America 250-themed pet costume contest judged by Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle; Tanisha Harris, representing U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell's office; and Duana Johnson, a U.S. Navy veteran and enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, who offered a blessing during the day's opening ceremony.
Sunny, a 2-year-old Bernese mountain dog owned by John Westerdahl, of Vancouver, took the "most creative" award for a costume that featured a small stuffed cowboy riding on their back, and Daisy Mae, an 18-month-old shih tzu owned by Vancouver residents Brad and Leslie Peterson, won the "mayor's choice" award for her red, white and blue, USA-themed costume.
And while the costume contest may have been the most adorable part of the all-day Vancouver Celebrates America 250 event, visitors did not lack for entertainment.
Vendors set up food, education and patriotic merchandise tables on the edge of the parade grounds while musicians from the Vancouver Music Organization Ceremonial Trumpets, One of a Kind Drumline and the Exit 52 cover band performed on or near the main stage.
People also wandered through the Fort Vancouver garden, with its fragrant mix of flowers, herbs, vegetables and leafy greens - some of which are used in the Fort Vancouver demonstration kitchen - and explored the historic Marshall House, named for General George C. Marshall, a former military officer, secretary of state, secretary of defense and 1953 Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Marshall and his wife, Katherine, lived in the historic 1886 Queen Anne home on Officers Row from 1936 to 1938, when Marshall served as commander of the barracks and the regional Civilian Conservation Corps.
Visitors who happened to wander near the historic fort around 11 a.m. Friday would have seen and heard volunteers Paula Hale and Craig Webster each fire a single shot during the historic weapons demonstration program in front of a large crowd gathered behind long yellow ropes circling the firing area for safety.
They asked the audience to cover their ears when the shots were fired.
"I thought it was really cool," said Eliana Bowen, an audience member at the weapons demonstration. "I was kind of surprised how loud they were even without really anything in it."
Hale, a park ranger, shot a Brown Bess musket at the surrounding fence, explaining that this weapon was used by both sides of the Civil War and was one of the primary weapons used by the British military.
Webster then loaded and fired a trade gun, which he said he'd put together because he's left-handed and the other muskets were meant for right-handed shooters.
After Hale and Webster fired their muskets, many people stuck around to listen to the two explaining more about their weapons and asking questions about how the guns work and locks worked, or how accurate they were.
"(It's rewarding) being able to mingle with them all and tell them a little bit about a part of history they may not know," Webster said.
The Vancouver Celebrates America 250 event offered DJ'd music, games and other entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening, and was set to conclude with a 9:15 p.m. showing of the classic baseball movie, "A League of Their Own" on the parade grounds.
McEnerny-Ogle welcomed visitors to the Fort Vancouver grounds around noon. Her remarks, which lasted around four minutes, honored the country, community and Indigenous people.
"Today's celebration is designed to bring history to life in joyful, accessible and meaningful ways, so throughout the day, you'll find living history in demonstrations, tours, music, games, food and activities," McEnerny-Ogle said.
The mayor asked visitors to imagine what kind of future they would like to see.
"Our nation's semiquincentennial invites us not only to reflect on the past, but to imagine the next 250 years. So, what kind of nation do we want future generations to inherit? What responsibilities do we carry today? And how can each of us contribute to a future rooted in dignity, opportunity and shared presence?" McEnerny-Ogle said. "As we honor 250 years of the American story, may we carry forward the best of who we are and commit ourselves to sharing a future worthy of those who will stand here 250 years from now."
Johnson offered a blessing following the mayor's remarks.
"As we honor the United States' 250th birthday, may this milestone remind us to walk forward together with gratitude, courage, humility and hope for the generations to come," Johnson said. "We ask that you empower and embolden those in our community to include all of our community members, regardless of race, creed, religion, sexual orientation, for us to be your voice and advocate for them. For we are only as strong as our downtrodden community members."
Johnson, an advocate for social justice and Indigenous rights in Southwest Washington, urged the crowd to help lift up their neighbors.
"If you see somebody being interrupted, acknowledge them, don't let them be pushed aside. If you see somebody lagging behind, walk beside them," she said. "If you see somebody being ignored, take that step to include them. Always remind people of their worth. That small gesture could mean a lot. And that's what we're about here in Vancouver."
This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.
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